Week of June 26, 2005

As the first official day of summer arrived on Tuesday, the weather generally matched the season. High temperatures ranged from 85 degrees to 91 and lows varied from 65 degrees to 68.

The Mississippi River rose from 18.4 feet on the Vicksburg gauge to 22.8 feet before reversing and ending the week at 22.6 feet. Forecasters said the river should reach 21.1 feet by today.

Tensas Machine and Manufacturing of Newellton, La., delivered the new ferry barge and push boat to the Kings Point Ferry Landing in Warren County. The new equipment will replace an old ferry that was built in 1958.

Rachael Potter and Amy Brogdon realized their dreams to become veterinarians with the beginning of their practice at the Vicksburg Medical Clinic on Paxton Road. Both women are graduates of the local public school system.

The Vicksburg Post editorial staff received seven first place awards in the annual contest put on by the Mississippi Press Association. Photographer Jon Giffin and Sports Editor Sean Murphy combined to win four of the first place awards.

Vicksburg attorney Blake Teller will lead the 2005 fund- raising campaign of the United Way of West Central Mississippi. In preparing for the task, Teller noted there appeared to be a trend of a drop in giving and attributed it to competition for charitable dollars.

Warren County Constables Glenn McKay and John Henry Heggins began their newest terms as officers of the Mississippi Constables Association. McKay began his third consecutive term as president and Heggins began his fourth as secretary-treasurer.

District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield submitted his resignation from the Warren County Board of Supervisors effective Wednesday in preparation for taking office as Vicksburg’s new North Ward alderman. His action clears the way for the other supervisors to begin the process of replacing Mayfield on the board when they meet in July.

The Vicksburg Fire Department will get two global positioning satellite mapping units. Officials said the units will allow firefighters to have more information by mapping buildings, water lines and other features.

A federal judge handed a five-year and three-month sentence to David Garland Atwood II, 21, of Warren County as part of a plea bargain worked out in March. Atwood was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $25,000 and serve five years probation on wire fraud and sex enticement charges.

Winn-Dixie announced plans to close the Sack and Save and Pump and Save operations in Vicksburg as part of a plan to recover from bankruptcy. The grocery chain said it planned to close a third of its stores and remove 22,000 people from the payroll.

Ameristar Casino and Hotel began construction of a new parking lot on its land at 4116 Washington St. that will add about 93 spaces. Ameristar also has plans for a 90-foot tall parking garage and a 200-foot tall hotel on the site.

Fire of undetermined origin destroyed one building and damaged another at the Batesville Casket plant on U.S. 61 South. The local plant produces finished lumber that is used at other Batesville plants to construct caskets.

Speaking to a local civic club, Sgt. Peter Ergle of Vicksburg talked about the team being formed by the Mississippi National Guard to deal with weapons of mass destruction. People will be drawn from the army and air arms of the Guard to man the 47th Civil Support Team/Weapons of Mass Destruction.

A Madison County grand jury indicted Judith Kristie Smith of Vicksburg on two counts of aggravated assault and drive-by shooting as a result of a May 22 shooting in Ridgeland. She waived arraignment and a trial date of Dec. 20 was set.

Local deaths during the week included Mary Belle Kleinmann Hodge, Selwyn Wallace Guy, Charles Bowie Lanford, Odessa S. Fisher, Emma Woodhouse Meeks, Dorothy Delores Salmon, Maggie Carson, Lonnie Miller Jr., Richard Morgan Stone Sr., Virginia Butler and Robert L. Davis.